Description of the Study Program

Solid state physics is currently one of the most dynamical fields of physics, both in theoretical and experimental developments. It forms basis of large number of important applications, including in particular electronic devices, new progressive materials and nanotechnologies. Master program Solid state physics offers a possibility to learn new theoretical approaches, employ state-of-the-art computer simulation methods and master experimental and diagnostic techniques. Within Diploma Thesis students are involved in national and foreign projects which allow them to work in top-equipped laboratories in Slovakia and abroad. Graduates work in basic and applied research in the Slovak Academy of Sciences and at the universities as well as in the private sector.

What to Expect

In order to fulfill the condensed matter physics study program and balance all of its parts, the subjects are oriented to both theoretical and experimental condensed matter physics. Students attend compulsory lectures and compulsory elective lectures according to their focus (theoretical, experimental). All compulsory lectures are, based on their character, supplemented by calculation exercises (theoretical subjects) or laboratory practice. Students can further select elective courses from the condensed matter physics study program, as well as other programs, such as computer science, mathematics, physics history and the humanistic studies. It is recommended to consult the selection of courses with the thesis supervisor, who can recommend also other courses at the faculty. Since the study program is unique at the Comenius University, courses from other faculties are usually not recommended.

Master's Thesis

Student can choose a theoretical or experimental work. All the theses are realized within actual scientific projects and grants, and students participate on research tasks carried out at the Department of Experimental physics. Part of the research can be carried out at foreign institutions. The thesis must bring new original results. Usually, 1-2 theses are supervised by researchers from the Institute of Physics, Slovak Academy of Sciences, which closely cooperates with the DEP.

Graduates' Career Opportunities

The graduate has wide knowledge of the theoretical and experimental condensed matter physics and its practical applications, experience with high level programming languages, numerical methods and computer modeling of the physical phenomena. With the obtained knowledge from the condensed matter physics, plasma physics, vacuum physics, optics and electronics, the graduate is able to work individually or in collaboration with the scientific group, and solve challenging physical problems. The graduate can build up and use computer models of physical phenomena, and control the experiment using a computer. He is able to communicate in at least one foreign language. This program is a premise for a PhD. position at our faculty. All the knowledge, skills and experiences are built with an emphasis placed on humanity, human rights, ethics and behavior of the scientist with the respect to economic, juristic and society relationships. The employment of graduates is at a rate of 100 %, all of them are employed in no time after the study. The majority of them proceed on to the PhD. study in Condensed matter physics and acoustics. Some of them continue in another physics department at the Comenius University, and considerable part of graduates is employed by Slovak or Czech Academy of Science as well as by other universities. The graduates employed by the private companies are much appreciated not only for their knowledge of physics, but also mathematical and computer modeling skills and experience with both theoretical and experimental work. These graduates become valuable members of the team immediately.